In such uncertain times, from the fluctuating economy to food fads that seem to come and go at the chirp of a tweet, it is always refreshing to see restaurants that hold steadfast to their mission. Co-owners Traci Des Jardins and Pat Kuleto had the pleasure of celebrating Jardiniere’s fifteenth anniversary as one such institution.

Family, friends, patrons and investors reveled in the success of the French-Californian style restaurant last week while enjoying bites by Des Jardins, who also serves as head chef. Rabbit rillettes with apple slaw, sliders of kobe beef and dungeness crab, duck meatballs with figs, and even the legal-to-give-away-but-not-legal-to-sell foie gras were served alongside flowing wine and cocktails.

Perhaps one of the reasons Jardiniere has been able to reach this milestone is because Des Jardins has managed to keep much of the staff by her side, a few working at the restaurant for 13 years. Many described the atmosphere of the company as “familial.”

The fifteenth anniversary is commonly deemed the “Crystal Anniversary,” and it became crystal clear by night’s end that with such a gorgeous atmosphere, top-notch food, and a strong sense of community, that Jardinere is likely to be around to see many more.